Lab Med Online.  2021 Oct;11(4):217-222. 10.47429/lmo.2021.11.4.217.

Initial Response of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
  • 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea
  • 5Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
  • 6Department of Laboratory Medicine, EONE Laboratories, Inchon, Korea
  • 7Department of Laboratory Medicine, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 8Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 9Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
  • 10Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. The cause of COVID-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel virus phylogenetically similar to the SARS virus. The symptoms of COVID-19 are non-specific, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through contact with infected persons as well as asymptomatic carriers. Therefore, it is vital to diagnose COVID-19 by detecting the virus in respiratory samples. In the early period of the COVID-19 outbreak, infected people were identified through a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Accordingly, an initial response, such as appropriate quarantine and treatment, was critical in preventing the spread of the disease. This report briefly reviews the literature on COVID-19 and shares the experience of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine for the early establishment of molecular diagnostic testing with the cooperation of stakeholders.

Keyword

Coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Diagnostic testing; SARS-CoV-2

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